Special Selectmen’s meeting scheduled December 4
The Board of Selectmen posted a special meeting for Monday, Dec. 4, at 8 a.m. to announce its selection of a new town administrator. According to Executive Assistant Valeska Ross, on Monday the selectmen interviewed the two finalists, Tim Bragan, Sterling’s executive secretary, and James Duggan of Gloucester’s Department of Community Development. They also met with town and school department officials and Town Hall staff, who were asked to provide feedback and recommendations to the selectmen this week.
Heritage Landscape Inventory Final Report
The Board of Selectmen, excepting Scott Kimball, who was absent, voted unanimously to accept the Heritage Landscape Inventory Report presented by Steve Rowse of Old Littleton Road and to thank all who participated in the study, particularly, Laura Andrews, who led the effort that identified 76 “heritage landscapes” in Harvard. According to Rowse, these landscapes represent Harvard’s unique character, which the study recommends preserving. Rowse said that a strategic planning session will be hosted by Freedom’s Way Heritage Association, Inc., following review of the report by town boards and interested committees, including the Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Conservation Trust, Community Preservation Committee, Historical Commission, and Historical Society. Representatives of these bodies will share ideas, may identify additional items of interest, and will prepare an action plan, he said. The study was funded by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Littleton Road ‘Friendly’ 40B
The board postponed signing a letter endorsing the Local Initiative Program for a “friendly” 40B project at 15 Littleton Road pending notification of abutters. The State Department of Housing and Community Development also requires the written endorsement of the Harvard Housing Partnership. The selectmen said that they would discuss partnering with the Massachusetts Housing Opportunities Corporation on this project at their meeting December 5. According to Selectman Lucy Wallace, who also sits on the town’s Housing Partnership, the proposed project would mimic the town center landscape; there would be one or two curb cuts and parking behind four buildings containing three units each.
Kudos for Town Employees
Selectman Bill Marinelli commended town employees, who have been working “450 days” without a contract, for the way they are behaving. Marinelli was reacting to signs displayed recently during Parent Teacher conferences that called attention to the number of days Harvard’s teachers have been without a contract; “I’m not happy with the HTA,” he said.
Town Accountant’s Hours
Town Administrator Paul Cohen informed the selectmen that Finance Director Lorraine Leonard had reduced the accounting manager’s workweek from 40 to 30 hours by way of an employment agreement. Cohen cited “surplus capacity” as the reason for the reduction. Chairman Randy Dean said that all changes in employee working conditions should go to the board for approval; he wondered if the arrangement would cost the town more money—fewer hours for the same pay.
Last Tuesday Finance Director Lorraine Leonard told the Press that the accounting manager’s 40-hour-per-week schedule was put back in place following a meeting with Dean. Leonard said that she had discussed the change with Cohen before implementing it and thought he had approved the plan. A communication lapse is how she characterized the misunderstanding. She explained further saying that Aponte, the accounting manager, had asked to reduce his hours to 30 per week and to perform the same task(s) for the same hourly rate of pay, so his salary would have been reduced commensurately. Under the derailed plan, Aponte would have worked from home several hours a week, Leonard said, which he’s been doing all along. He is always available to other town employees, she added.
Note: This From the Boards article appears in the December 1, 2006, print edition of the Press.
